Welcome Back To New Jack City

As a general rule, I don't have a problem with sequels. Conventional wisdom usually dictates that the sequel will fail to live up to the original -- and yes, I know Godfather Part 2 and The Empire Strikes Back don't count -- but I'm always game for a re-visit if it's done right (I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Shekhar Kapur's Elizabeth sequel, The Golden Age). But direct-to-DVD sequels are another matter.

It now looks like Warner Bros. is out to ruin yet another fond cinematic memory from my youth with a crappy direct-to-DVD sequel. No sooner did we get the announcement that Warner Bros. was making Lost Boys 2, when Moviehole.net reported that a sequel to the 1991 crime flick New Jack City had also been given the go-ahead. Starring Wesley Snipes, Mario Van Peebles, and a pre-SVUIce-T, the film was a Scarface of the 90's set against the crack epidemic. If you haven't seen it, I recommend picking it up, just for the high-top fades alone. Phillip B. Goldfine (Disturbing Behavior) is producing, but there is no definite word on whether any of the original cast will return. There have been rumors of a sequel before, but nothing has ever materialized until now. Since the film seems destined for the discount bin, I'm thinking Snipes would only come back if his income tax payments get a little too steep.